View Full Version : Help, Advice..Antenna


Kangel
02-02-09, 07:33 PM
First off: TV is not digital, I do have the converter box.
Addy: 4816 Andersonville Hwy. TN. 37705
Looking at Antenna web I believe I need a viloet/blue antenna.
I'm still not clear if I need a directional or Multi. Basically concerned in getting the local channels, ABC, NBC,etc.
The antenna I was looking at getting is the TerkHTVo,any thoughts or am I off here? Plan on doing an outside install. I do have a poll already in ground which use to have a big antenna on it..very old, and I can't pick up the digital stations I want. Also do I need a pre-amp or not? Any thoughts before I buy anything? Any other antenna recomendations?

Thanks in advance.

rabbit73
02-02-09, 08:56 PM
Entering your address and zip (but no city--Andersonville?) at tvfool.com brings up the following lists of channels for now and post transition (I'll leave it to the big guns to give you the advice. Which converter box do you have?):

Kangel
02-02-09, 09:17 PM
Yeah Andersonville. I have the magnavox TB110mw9 converter.

Piggie
02-03-09, 12:51 AM
I posted your post transition digital only radar plot.

There are both UHF and VHF in your market so you need a combination antenna.

You will need an outdoor antenna or at least one in the attic as most of the stations are behind about a 250 ft (guessing hill), but not that far. It is often possible pointing at the top of the hill (you probably don't have to tilt the antenna) you could receive these stations in the 170 degree range.

However WBXX and WPXX are off in a different direction, by about 100 degrees. No one antenna will pick up both. You either need a rotor, or two antenna hooked together which is often more trouble than it's worth.

You would be very disappointed in the TerkHTVo, of which I consider one of those "gimmick" antennas that seem to draw buyers then they come here disappointed. Looks like it is in $100 range also.

You could do much better on your old pole outside with what I call a "real" TV antenna.

The simplest thing to do is install a Winegard 7696P antenna and some good quality RG6 Quad Shield coax. Try it without an amp, as even though you are trying to pick up some weak signals over the hill, WBXX and WPXX are pretty strong. But maybe pointed at the 170 degree stations over the hill, those 2 stations off the back side of a 7696P will be down enough that if without an amp you not successful, then try an amp.

If you buy an amp, don't buy a Radio Shack local amp, they are trash (sorry RS), but you need something with just a little bit of gain like the Winegard AP8700 Chromstar 2000 Series VHF/UHF Pre Amplifier (AP-8700) and a low noise figure.

Don't forget if you get an amp, you need two jumpers. One between the antenna and amp and one inside from the power supply to the set.

arxaw
02-03-09, 09:57 AM
Do not buy a TERK antenna.

If you paid full price for the magnavox converter box (if you didn't use a coupon), try to return it and get a Zenith (radio shack, kmart) or Insignia (same box as the zenith with BestBuy brand on it). That will up your odds of getting more channels.

The Winegard 7696P antenna (http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/HD769.htm) and preamps (http://www.warrenelectronics.com/Antennas/HDTV_preamps.htm) Piggie suggested are good choices.